Background: Human immunodeficiency virus infection affects all societies, including the very conservative society. In the beginning of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) era the number of HIV-positive in Saudi Arabia was estimated by UNAIDS with prevalence of 0.2%.

Methods: Obtaining the correct data from the AIDS program at Saudi Ministry of Health according to the annual report of HIV-positive patients.

Results: Between 1984 and 2001, 6046 were found to be HIV-positive, 1285 were Saudis averaging 76 new cases per year. The reported number from the Saudi MOH was 8919 total persons who were HIV-positive at the end of 2004. saudis were 2005 cases. The rate of annual incidence of HIV-infection in Saudis was ranging 229342 cases per year on 20012006. Between 2001 and 2006 the mean annual incidence of HIV-infection in Saudis was 275 cases per year. The last 6 years the new HIV infection in Saudis was 1748 cases only between early 2002 and end of 2007. The total number of HIV-positive Saudis on early 2008 was 3033 persons. The calculated HIV-infection prevalence would be 0.02% in Saudi Arabia.

Conclusion: Reporting of HIV-infections in Saudi Arabia is better now compared to the beginning of AIDS era "early 80's".

The last 6 years showed significant increase in the number of HIV-infected people in Saudi Arabia (1748 cases). This increase in number should be dealt with seriously.

Session Details

Date:

16/05/2009

Time:

00:00-00:00

Session name:

19th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases